Come Paddle with Northeast Wisconsin Paddlers!
Public Paddle Planning
For a newcomer to kayaking, wouldn’t it be great to take day trips with people who know the route, help you unload and load your boat, help you launch and land, and include certified kayak instructors in case something goes wrong? That describes NEWP’s Publc Paddles.
NEWP’s public paddle events have roots in the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance Special Places Program that offered paddles to the general public from 2000-08. Starting in 2009, NEWP partnered with the Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway to host a series of paddles along the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, and their tributaries. Currently, NEWP hosts paddle events throughout northeast Wisconsin to provide a variety of paddling experiences and venues, especially for newcomers to the sport.
Many individuals have voluntarily provided their time and talent to plan and host these events. The current core planning committee is David Horst, Michael Jordan, Scott Thomson and Jeff Mazanec. Several other individuals provide essential input to event planning and support of the actual public paddle events. Contact any of the above with questions or if you are interested in lending your expertise and support.
(Special thanks to Tom Young for his strong contributions to this program from 2010 through 2023.)
Join us for any or all of our public paddles. You don’t have to be a club member, but you might discover that you want to be. Most events cost $15 for adults, free for kids under 16 with an adult. Only $10 for NEWP club members. You can just show up at the put-in with $15 in your hand, but we would like to know to expect you. And while you’re at it, be sure to show up with your PFD (life jacket) – it’s an absolute requirement for enjoying our sport!
Here is a list of our upcoming paddle events.
2024 Public Paddle Schedule
Our 2024 public paddle events combine new favorites with a couple old goodies! Plan now to return for the Peshtigo Flowage Weekend and the Appleton Locks Paddle, and make new plans for a Lower Fox River paddle through Green Bay and our first ever venture up the West Twin Rivers in Two Rivers.
June 21-23, Peshtigo Flowage Weekend: This will be our 9th annual weekend tour of the Caldron Falls and High Falls reservoirs. Friday night fish fry and camping at Governor Thompson State Park are a base part of this great paddle weekend. If conditions are appropriate, we’ll enjoy a shared meal at the Woods Lake shelter on Saturday evening. Both days’ paddle routes will be out-and-back – no shuttles required.
July 20, Lower Fox River/ Green Bay Paddle: It’s been a few years since the Tall Ships took us down the Fox River into Green Bay, so we are returning there this year to check out all the great ongoing waterfront development down the length of the mighty Fox.
August ___, Appleton Locks Paddle: We are returning to our favorite Appleton Locks route, BUT with a back-up option to reroute to the Heart-of-the-Valley locks we enjoyed in 2022 if conditions aren’t favorable between Appleton and Kimberly. . Drop your boat and gear at Lutz Park, drive your vehicle to Sunset Park and take the shuttle back to the launch at Lutz. When the paddle is over, your vehicle will be there waiting.
(NOTE: The date for this event will be confirmed in late March pending the results of this year’s Apostle Islands trip lottery.)
September 14, East Twin River Paddle: Join us for our first NEWP public paddle event in Two Rivers. We will launch from Veterans Park on the West Twin River and head downtown, then up the East Twin River to view wildlife and the first touch of autumn before returning to the launch location.
Suggest a route or venue for future public paddle events!
DID YOU HAVE TO MISS A PADDLE? Even if you can’t Paddle With NEWP, check out our “Where to Paddle” page..